Here's the story of my second DIY case. This time, the idea was to fit my current "condensed" jam setup into a suitcase to make it portable. The setup includes:
- 6U of Eurorack
- a MicroBrute
- a Korg Volca Beats
- a guitar pedal or two
- maybe an iPad.

The Eurorack modules would go into the upright box and the MicroBrute etc. into lower box. To play the microbrute though, I would have to omit the front (or top) wall of the lower box to reach the keyboard comfortably from the front. I couldn't do an elegant solution like horstronic with his nicely sloped lower box, because I could only get wood cut at a right angle, with minimum measurements of 100x100mm. Also, and this is a key part to this story, I'm a total noob, without much wood-working experience, tools and space.

So, I decided to build this version, where the lower box wouldn't have a front wall, but the top box would have an extended top wall.

My thinking was, that when the top box is angled backwards a little, I could still see into the case properly when standing in front of it, without the extended top obscuring the top row of modules. How would I angle the top case backwards a little? I don't know ... I'll figure it out. Yeah!

So, on to measurements. I arranged the MicroBrute and the rest on a table and measured how much space I'd need, including extra room for power supplies, etc., while not making the case too large to carry. I came up with the following:

The first question after that was how to handle the Eurorack box. 600 mm width would give me appx. 118HP, but I'd need custom rails for that. Luckily I found the great Clicks & Clocks online store for those, which probably made the rails the easiest part of this whole project.

Next up, I went into a hardware store and got some wood and materials. Here are a few pictures:

The wood I went with was Poplar ... which might bite me in the a$$ later on, because it's quite soft. Oh well, we will see.

Back home, I started by placing the wood pieces together, like I would need them in the end.

Everything seemed to fit nicely! So, I started working

First, I sanded the wood:

... and then I glueded the pieces together and drilled in brackets for additional support

Sliding some nuts:

After having had trouble with gaps between modules in my Doepfer case, which used threaded strips, I decided to stick with sliding nuts for my DIY cases.

Attaching the Eurorack rails:

This was a case of "didn't I learn anything from my first DIY case?!?!?" I wanted to attach the rails directly to the wood again, like in those Doepfer Low-Cost Cases, This requires quite a bit of precision drilling though and I found it to be a huge pain ... again. Next time, I will order pre-drilled 6U metal side-panels to fix the rails to. Then I just have to screw the whole 6U frame into the box which is easy.

After I got the boxes built, I put them together to see if they'd work as a case:
They did! Phew!!!!

After sleeping on this achievement, the next step was spray-painting the box. Why did I build it before painting it? It seemed easier and I wanted to see if everything fit before I started with the paint. I assume there are a lot of good arguments for painting the individual pieces before putting them together though ... I don't know.

Applying primer (two layers):

A professional painter

Applying black paint (about two and a half layers):

Girlfriend wanted to paint something too 8_)

... oh crap! It started to rain!!!

Looks like the paint was dry enough though, so that it wasn't diluted or washed off.

Okay, the paint is fine! On we go with hinges, rubber feet, latches, etc.

Wow, it's starting to look like a proper case!

Next up: Doepfer bus boards and power supply. Here's the power supply screwed on loose pieces of wood, for easier mounting inside the case

Screwing the bus boards into the back of the case with wood screws and washers

Looking good!

OH NO!!! A minor setback! The wood was indeed too soft for the handle to stay attached, even without anything inside the case. The screws broke out and and the case fell 1m (~3ft) to the ground ... and also on my foot.

Result:
- one broken off handle
- one dented corner
- one broken off hinge
- one ruined toe nail.

Damn!!! Luckily, the Doepfer power supply didn't break.

Looks like I need to attach the handle and the hinges properly. I actually could have forseen the handle breaking off ... guess it "didn't do" this time.

So, after another visit to the hardware store, I re-attached the handle and hinge with proper screws, nuts and washers. I also put some metal protection on the corners. It all feels a lot sturdier now and I can start to put stuff into the case.

I wanted to attach the non-modular instruments, as well as all of the power bricks, to the case using Velcro, but I found 3M Dual Lock instead. It's similar to Velcro, but doesn't have two different sides, but only one, which interlocks with itself. It holds things together like crazy, so I really didn't worry about putting the MicroBrute upside down inside the case for a test.

The power bricks also sit real tight, I just have to see wether the Dual Lock's glue gets soft when the bricks get warm during use. The power outlets and bricks are located in the bottom row, below the two rows of Eurorack, by the way.

In front of the bottom row, I will put a thin piece of wood, in which I started to build some utilities for the modular synth, like multiples and attenuators.

Before I finish the utility panel though, I have to put some modules in the case. I've been really looking forward to that moment!

I weighed the case and with the above content, it's 12 kg (~24 lbs). The top handle seems to hold it fine now, but I'm still a little worried and have to think about another solution for the long run.

There is also still the big problem of the top-heavy weight distribution. The case will just fall backwards once it's opened, because the modular synth is obviously a lot heavier than what I'll have in the bottom part. I need to figure out some stand for the upright part, which ideally shouldn't take too much space. Here's a first try, using pieces of wood which slide onto the side of the case.

It works, but it doesn't feel sturdy enough yet, so for this I'll think about another solution too.

Here's a peek behind the utility panel. There is a very thin 4x Euro-Power strip, to which I connect the power plugs of the Doepfer DIY Kit, MicroBrute, Behringer MX400 mini mixer and 1Spot Guitar Pedal power supply (daisy-chained power plugs).

Put the case on my table and rearranged all my setup around it. In the process I somehow got rid of all the MIDI connections, without really thinking about it (I'm not against MIDI and never had a big problem with it).

Took the case out on the road for the first time, to jam with VLK. The case is really heavy though, so it's nothing to lug around on foot really. I'll see that I get a trolley or something for the next jam session. Otherwise it was a great experience, not just with the case, but also the jam session

br>Awesome case build buddy! Great idea about building the microbrute into the case. br> br>

br>scottmoon

br>Wow, that's a lot of documentation. Keep 'em coming. br> br>

br>flx

br>Thanks This was so much fun!!! I will post new pictures as thing develop further. br> br>

br>sduck

br>Cool! I've been following this on instagram, but it's kind of disjointed on that medium, so having this all in one place kind of ties it all together. br> br>

br>flx

br>

sduck wrote:

Cool! I've been following this on instagram, but it's kind of disjointed on that medium, so having this all in one place kind of ties it all together.

I also plan to do a video overview of the project, when the case complete. Thanks for checking in to my Instagram feed over the past days!!! br> br>

br>mike_teevee

br>I have also been following this. Facebook, instagram, reddit , and now on muff. Once again, great work! br> br>

br>flx

br>

mike_teevee wrote:

I have also been following this. Facebook, instagram, reddit , and now on muff. Once again, great work!

Thanks and also welcome to thee forum br> br>

br>Zvark

br>Excellent case! I look forward to seeing this in use on your videos. br> br>

br>Stides

br>Nice, what about 2 handles on the side instead of just the top? Could leave the top too, when you just need to move it around the apartment or whatever. For the top maybe a hinged leg? Like attach the hinge to the back top edge beyond the euro modules. Then another strap along the back to the lower part of the case. Like an upside down easel. I can't post a pic of the shitty diagram from my ipad so I'll tweet it to you in a minute. br> br>

br>qfactor

br>

Stides wrote:

Nice, what about 2 handles on the side instead of just the top?

Or how about a long leather strap anchored on the sides that allow you to "sling" over your shoulder when you carry it. 12kg case would seem easier to move around by slinging over so your back takes some of the weight rather than your hand, if you use handles! br> br>

br>flx

br>

Zvark wrote:

Excellent case! I look forward to seeing this in use on your videos.

Thanks! I'll post a first little jam with it tomorrow

Stides wrote:

Nice, what about 2 handles on the side instead of just the top? Could leave the top too, when you just need to move it around the apartment or whatever. For the top maybe a hinged leg? Like attach the hinge to the back top edge beyond the euro modules. Then another strap along the back to the lower part of the case. Like an upside down easel. I can't post a pic of the shitty diagram from my ipad so I'll tweet it to you in a minute.

Got the pic!

That's a good idea because it doesn't add much bulk

qfactor wrote:

Stides wrote:

Nice, what about 2 handles on the side instead of just the top?

Or how about a long leather strap anchored on the sides that allow you to "sling" over your shoulder when you carry it. 12kg case would seem easier to move around by slinging over so your back takes some of the weight rather than your hand, if you use handles!

That's another good idea! Thanks Carrying it over the shoulder is definitely more comfortable, although I'm surprised how nice that handle feels. br> br>

Thanks What are you going to build next, now that your workbench is tidied up again? br> br>

br>JohnLRice

br>

flx wrote:

What are you going to build next, now that your workbench is tidied up again?

Well, I REALLY want to work on some synth DIY but, I NEED to work on repairs to a few things I need to sell to raise cash before my creditors get too pissed off! br> br>

br>flx

br>Here's a peek behind the utility panel. There is a very thin 4x Euro-Power strip, to which I connect the power plugs of the Doepfer DIY Kit, MicroBrute, Behringer MX400 mini mixer and 1Spot Guitar Pedal power supply (daisy-chained power plugs).

br> br>

br>wejhead

br>also been following on instagram, pretty inspiring build. br> br>

br>flx

br>

wejhead wrote:

also been following on instagram, pretty inspiring build.

Cool! Thanks for checking in br> br>

br>flx

br>Put the case on my table and rearranged all my setup around it. In the process I somehow got rid of all the MIDI connections, without really thinking about it (I'm not against MIDI and never had a big problem with it).

br>Great job on the case, and the documentation of the build! It turned out nice and brings the gear together. I liked the use of the 'empty' space for the 'utilities panel'. Provides some useful items while keeping power, cords, etc., hidden from sight - nice and tidy!
br> br>

br>Took the case out on the road for the first time, to jam with VLK. The case is really heavy though, so it's nothing to lug around on foot really. When travelling by car it's no big deal. I'll see that I get a trolley or something for the next jam session. Otherwise it was a great experience, not just with the case, but also the jam session

br> br>

br>desdinova

br>You might want to consider metal tilt-back legs like on the old fenders. They attach to the sides of the case and just swing backward for support. Swing them back in and you're done, nothing to detach or forget. br> br>

br>flx

br>

desdinova wrote:

You might want to consider metal tilt-back legs like on the old fenders. They attach to the sides of the case and just swing backward for support. Swing them back in and you're done, nothing to detach or forget.

That's a great tip! Thanks a lot I hadn't heard of those before. br> br>

br>gwaidan

br>Awesome work! br> br>

br>flx

br>Updated the first post with new image links, after Dropbox made them disappear. br> br>